Anthony Martial has bounced back

He hasn't been given a easy ride by Mourinho. But if his last two games are anything to go by, he is getting back to his best.

It wasn't a great United performance. But Martial was direct and dangerous and was unlucky not to get himself a goal.

He was still getting instructions from Mourinho for most of the game - about his decisions and positioning. But he is firmly back in the manager's plans.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a goalscorer

The Swedish striker is making a habit of these kinds of performances. If he hadn't scored against St Etienne, he would have taken a lot of stick because the ball breaks down on him more than it should. But he scored a hat-trick. And you can't ask for much more from your centre forward.

That's 23 for the season for the 35-year-old. It's an incredible tally for a player in his first season at a new club and in a new country. He deserves a lot of credit.

Read More

Jose Mourinho's organisation is paying off

It wasn't United's best defensive display. And Mourinho won't he happy that they allowed St Etienne to have 10 shots in the first half alone. But that's five clean sheets in a row for United.

It's an impressive run, especially because Mourinho has had to chop and change his back line.

Rashford can change a game

The knock-on effect of Martial's return to form is that Marcus Rashford has dropped out of the team. But he proved against St Etienne that he still has a big part to play, even if it is from the bench.

He came on at 1-0 and 20 minutes later it was three and the tie was as good as over. It owed a lot to the injection of energy and pace that Rashford introduced.

Read More

Blackburn has become a big game for Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw hasn't been in the squad for four consecutive matches, despite being fit again after a groin injury.

The suggestion is that he will start against Blackburn at Ewood Park in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday. It is becoming clear that his opportunities between now and the end of the season will be limited, unless he can make an impression on Mourinho.

Blackburn is a chance to do that. If not, you have to fear for his future at Old Trafford.